Tigray Rebels Pull Back as Mekelle Falls to Ethiopian Army

Sun Oct 04 2026 15:20:39 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

The TPLF retreats from Mekelle, leaving the city under government control as fighting in Tigray heightens and regional diplomacy teeters.

The Tigray People’s Liberation Front announced a temporary withdrawal from Mekelle amid increasing federal forces pressure, handing the city to pro‑government troops. Residents report that mobile communications have returned and the city is now under Ethiopian command. The move signals a significant shift in a conflict that has dragged the region into famine and displaced hundreds of thousands. International observers warn that the escalated fighting could spill into neighbouring states, prompting the US to call for restraint and dialogue. Broader diplomatic fallout has seen Ethiopia sever ties with Eritrea and face accusations of external support for rebels.

Tigray Rebels Pull Back as Mekelle Falls to Ethiopian Army

Pro‑government soldier guards street in Mekelle

Image credit: Getty Images

The Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF), which has governed the northern region for years, declared a temporary withdrawal of its forces from Mekelle as federal Ethiopian troops push deeper into the capital.

“We moved because civilians were put at risk,” a TPLF spokesperson told the BBC, acknowledging that the decision was driven by safety concerns for the city’s residents.

Neighbors in Mekelle confirmed that government‑aligned units now hold the streets and that services such as mobile phones have been restored in some areas.

The shift follows weeks of intensified clashes across Tigray, Afar and Amhara, the scarring effects of a two‑year civil war that, according to the African Union, claimed roughly 600,000 lives and pushed many to the brink of famine.

The TPLF’s withdrawal is part of a broader realignment: the group recently joined six other armed factions, including the Amhara Fano militia, in an alliance aiming to topple Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s administration.

Observers warn that the renewed hostilities could destabilise the broader Horn of Africa, with potential spill‑over into Egypt, Eritrea and other neighbours. The United States has urged all parties to exercise restraint and return to constructive dialogue ahead of a diplomatic meeting in Cairo.

Both Ethiopia and Eritrea have reportedly cut diplomatic ties in reaction to allegations of mutual support for rebel forces, while the United Nations has called for unhindered humanitarian access amid continued security disruptions.